Michigan State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500013
06/24/03
Cleaning Walls After A Flood
1. If walls have been flooded, hose them down, if
possible, while they are still damp to remove most of the
mud and silt.
2. Scrub with a sponge and warm detergent solution
or a commercial cleaner. Clean a small section of the
wall at a time.
3. To get rid of the stench that often accompanies
flooding rinse with a solution of 2 tablespoons sodium
hypochlorite laundry bleach (such as Purex or Chlorox) to
a gallon of water. Repeat the scrubbing and rinsing
several times if necessary. Household disinfectants such
as Lysol can also be used. Follow directions on the
container.
4. Work from the floor to the ceiling to prevent
streaking. Rinse with an old bath towel wrung out in
clear water. Overlap sections.
5. Clean the ceiling last.
6. Allow walls to dry thoroughly before repainting,
repairing plaster, papering, or applying any wall
covering. Four to 6 weeks should be allowed as a minimum
drying time. Total drying time will depend on weather
conditions. You may need to remove baseboards or sections
of the walls to dry interior studding and insulation (see
DRYING WALLS).
7. If mildew appears on walls, scrub with a solution
of trisodium phosphate, a disinfectant, or a solution of
1/2 cup bleach and 1/2 cup mild detergent in a gallon of
warm water.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus, with reference from the USDA
Disaster Handbook.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State
University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race,
color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability,
political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.
Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director,
MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational
purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
This file was generated from data base 02 on 02/04/08.
Data base 02 was last revised on 06/24/03.
For more information about this data base or its contents please contact
strausc@msu.edu .